What codes does Medicare direct providers to use following the elimination of payment for consultations?

Medicare's decision to eliminate payment for consultation codes means that healthcare providers must use alternative coding for services that were previously billed as consultations. Following this change, Medicare directs providers to use office and outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes to capture and bill for similar services.

The office and outpatient E/M codes are specifically designed to document the complexity and nature of the patient encounters that would have previously been noted under consultation codes. This allows for appropriate reimbursement and reflects the level of care that was provided.

Using these specific E/M codes ensures compliance with Medicare guidelines, helps maintain consistency in documentation, and promotes accurate reimbursement for services rendered. Understanding this transition is crucial for healthcare providers as they adapt their coding practices following Medicare’s policy updates.